Where to change your default browser

Windows lets you pick which browser opens when you click a link or type a web address. The setting lives in Windows Settings, not in the browser itself. You can change it in about two minutes without restarting your computer.

The exact steps depend on which version of Windows you have — Windows 10 and Windows 11 work slightly differently — but both routes are straightforward. Once you set a new default, Windows remembers it until you change it again.

Key Takeaways

  • Your default browser setting is in Windows Settings under Apps, not in the browser's own menu.
  • Windows 11 lets you set a default for the whole browser, while Windows 10 sometimes asks you to set defaults for individual link types.
  • You must have the browser you want installed on your computer before you can set it as default.
  • Changing your default does not uninstall your old browser or affect any bookmarks or saved passwords you have in it.
  • The change takes effect immediately without requiring a restart or closing any open programs.

How to change your default browser in Windows 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click Apps in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Default apps.

Scroll through the list until you see your browser name — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or whatever you use. Click it, then click the browser you want from the window that pops up. Windows will ask you to confirm; click Yes. That's it. The next time you click a link in email or a document, your new browser will open.

If you have multiple user accounts on your computer, each account has its own default browser setting. Changing it for one account does not affect the others.

How to change your default browser in Windows 10

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then press Enter. Click Apps, then click Default apps in the left sidebar.

Look for the section labeled Web browser. Click the browser name shown there, and a list of installed browsers will appear. Click the one you want. Windows 10 will set it as your default right away — no confirmation step needed.

If you see a section called Choose default apps by protocol below that, you can ignore it. Windows 10 sometimes asks you to set defaults for HTTP and HTTPS separately, but most people do not need to touch these settings.

What happens if your browser is not in the list

If the browser you want does not appear in the default apps list, it is not installed yet. You need to download and install it first. Go to the browser's website — google.com/chrome for Chrome, mozilla.org for Firefox, microsoft.com/edge for Edge — and follow the download instructions.

Once the installation finishes and you restart your computer, the browser will show up in the default apps list and you can set it as default. Some browsers may require you to open them once after installation before they appear in the list.

What changes and what stays the same

Setting a new default browser does not touch your old browser. All your bookmarks, passwords, and browsing history stay exactly where they are. You can still open your old browser anytime you want — changing the default just means Windows will not use it automatically when you click a link.

The change takes effect immediately. You do not need to restart Windows or close any open programs. The next link you click will open in your new default browser. If you have multiple browser windows open, they will continue running in their current browser until you close and reopen them.

If Windows keeps switching your browser back

Sometimes after a Windows update, or after installing a new browser, Windows resets your default back to Edge. This is not a glitch — it is how Windows is designed. You can change it back the same way you did the first time, and it will stay changed until the next major update or until you install a new browser.

If you find yourself changing it repeatedly, check whether you have turned on App recommendations in Settings. Some users report that turning this off reduces how often Windows resets defaults, though this is not may provide. You can also check if any browser has set itself to run at startup, which sometimes triggers Windows to reset the default.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different default browsers for different types of links?

Windows 11 does not support this. You pick one browser and it handles all links. Windows 10 technically lets you set different defaults for HTTP and HTTPS protocols, but this is rarely useful and most people should ignore it.

What if I want to open a link in a different browser just once?

Right-click the link and look for an option like "Open link in" or "Open with". Most browsers and email programs show a submenu with other browsers you have installed. You do not have to change your default to do this.

Does changing my default browser affect my passwords and bookmarks?

No. Your passwords, bookmarks, and history stay in whichever browser you saved them in. If you switch from Chrome to Firefox, your Chrome bookmarks remain in Chrome. You would need to export them separately if you want them in Firefox.

Will my old browser be removed if I set a new default?

No. Setting a new default browser does not uninstall anything. Both browsers stay on your computer. You can use either one anytime you want — the default just controls which one opens automatically when you click a link.

Why does my browser keep asking me to set it as default?

Some browsers show a notification or popup asking to be your default when you first install them or open them after an update. You can dismiss this message without changing your default. The notification will usually appear again the next time you open that browser.